The impending PhilHealth contribution hike will affect the special needs community in many ways. The higher premiums can increase the subsidies for many health benefits under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. State funds, however, do not guarantee access to clinical and non-clinical services that persons with disabilities (PWDs) need. The income reductions to pay for higher contributions will further financially strain healthcare and educational institutions that are struggling under the pandemic. More profit losses can lead these facilities to cease operations that serve PWDs.
Many PWDs and their family members are also employed or have their own businesses. The mounting financial burdens from pandemic-related expenses and the increased PhilHealth contributions might kill off their livelihoods because businesses have not yet recovered from financial losses. Losing their sources of income will limit them from availing non-medical goods and services that are essential for achieving the highest attainable standard of health.
The impending contribution hike in the face of economic recession has pushed the proposal to make PhilHealth payments voluntary for everyone. Prior to this, there have been calls to reform or abolish the agency because its corruption scandals have eroded public trust. Regardless of the path that the Philippines might take, all the PhilHealth debacles have awakened Filipinos to a simple yet painful truth: “free” healthcare under the UHC is not free at all.
The State of PhilHealth Benefits for PWDs
Long delays, spotty implementation deprive PWDs of PhilHealth benefits by Franco Luna, contributor at The Philippine Star
PhilHealth sets special benefits for PWDs by Sheila Crisostomo, contributor at The Philippine Star
Mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disability by Atty. Persida Acosta, Chief Public Attorney of the Republic of the Philippines
PhilHealth Premium Increase
PhilHealth heeds Duterte, suspends increase by Sheila Crisostomo, contributor at The Philippine Star
Voluntary contribution sought as PhilHealth announces scheduled hike by Jeline Malasig, contributor at The Philippine Star
Duque defends PhilHealth contribution hike by Melissa Luz Lopez, contributor at CNN Philippines
Anti-corruption body finds systemic corruption fraud in PhilHealth by CNN Philippines staff
Over 300 hospitals on the verge of closure by Janvic Mateo, contributor at The Philippine Star
865 private schools suspend operations this school year by ABS-CBN News
DTI: 90,000 businesses remain closed amid pandemic by Christia Marie Ramos, contributor at the Philippine Daily Inquirer
(Photo by Melissa Walker Horn)
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